The grass-roots group opposed to Keystone Sanitary Landfill’s expansion plan organized a forum later this month in Scranton to discuss why Pennsylvania is one of the country’s leading garbage importers and how the state can be a catalyst for better public policy.

“I feel like we are the ghost of Christmas future for a lot of other communities who will find themselves in our position and don’t know it yet,” said Michele Dempsey, one of the group’s leaders. “(Keystone’s proposed nearly half-century expansion) has put a bright spotlight on what’s wrong with our laws and regulations.”

The March 21 “Let’s Talk Trash” panel discussion scheduled for 6 p.m. at Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel is free and open to the public.

Participants will include Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey; state Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald; John Quigley, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection; Lois Gibbs, founder of the Center for Health, Environment & Justice; and Stephen Lester, science director of the CHEJ.